Category: Depression

Why is this happening to me? WHYis this happening to me? Why is THIShappening to me? Why is this happening TO ME? When painful things happen we are often left questioning “WHY?.”

Why does tragedy exist if God is a loving God? Why did this happen to me? Why does God allow me to suffer? Why am I not able to move on from bad decisions of my past? Why do people hurt me? Why do I hurt people? Why am I selfish? Why are others selfish? Why do I hurt? Why?

Often this type of thinking leaves us looking for a response to questions that a human being can not completely answer.

When God created the world, He created it perfect and in His image. When Adam and Eve sinned God was very clear as to what that would look like for mankind on earth from that point forward.

God said to Eve:

“I will greatly increase your pains in child bearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16)

God said to Adam:

“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and dust you will return. “(Genesis 3:17-19)

Tragedy, pain and suffering are the result of evil (sin)

Evil/sin summarize the trauma, pain, death, crux, loss, and hurt of all of our earthly suffering and pain

God tells us that we will never be able to fully explain or understand the reason of our specific trails.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

God allows suffering in our lives to expose the fullness of His character. His love and mercy, His compassion and concern, His forgiveness and redemption, HIS GRACE.

John 16:33 We hear Jesus’ words of encouragement and comfort. He says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus tells us that our peace for all of the suffering and pain that this world may throw our way is found in HIM. He also tells us point blank and straight forward, ” In this world you will have trouble.” He did not say “may have trouble”, “with any luck you will have a trouble free life”, or based on your good actions and intentions you will have less suffering and pain.” Jesus tells us that indeed we will have trouble, but he does not stop there. He tells us the good news of what he has done through HIS suffering and HIS pain, and HIS death. “TAKE HEART!!!!! I have overcome the world. ” Oh what comfort and joy those words bring to a suffering heart. Our Jesus has conquered our earthly strife and promises us the joys of ETERNAL LIFEthrough HIM.

God allows suffering to bring us to the feet of Jesus our Savior

Today I spent some time reading about Hannah. In Samuel 1:1-18, God tells us that Hannah was married to a man who had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah was able to have children but the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb. Not only did the inability to have children grieve Hannah but to make maters worse Peninnah would provoke and irritate Hannah. Can you imagine, not only having to share your husband but to have “the other woman” give birth to the children which you so badly desired but where unable to have? Can you imagine, having your rival make fun, taunt, ridicule, provoke, brag, and be little you to the point of dispare. The Bible tells us that this went on for years. YEARS!!!! Even Hannah’s husband became concerned with Hannah. He asked, “Hannah why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted?” Hannah was in deep dispair. Hannah suffered from depression. Hannah was bullied. Hannah had to share her husband. Hannah was unable to have the childen she so desparately desired. Hannah grieved. It is evident that Hannah suffered loss, pain, and sorrow.

You see even people in the Bible experienced the same types trials, tribuation, pain and suffering that we do today. Are you struggeling with “WHY”?

Asking “why” creates an empty cycle of frustration and often leads to dead end answers. “WHY” is the wrong question altogether and can lead you down the path into deeper into the pit you are screaming to exit.

The focus should not be on looking at the tragedy that happened, but on how to have a healthy response to tragedy. If tragedy consumes us then two tragedies result; not only will tragedy be an event, but it will also have the power to destroy us. Not asking “why” something has happened allows us to move through sufferingand come back stronger.

Let’s look at how Hannah moved through her pain and suffering. God tells us that Hannah went to the temple where Eli was the priest. God says that Hannah, “In bitterness of soul wept much and prayed to the Lord.” We are told that Hannah was praying in her heart, that her lips where moving but no sound was coming out. Eli the priest questioned Hannah and questioned her behavior. Hannah told Eli about her pain, anguish and sorrow, and she explained to Eli that she was praying to the Lord. Eli listened to Hannah and blessed her as she left the temple. We are told that Hannah left the temple and was no longer deeply troubled.

Hannah acknowldeged her grief. She took her troubled heart to the Lord. She knew that the Lord knew her heart even if the words escaped her. She shared her grief with someone she trusted and Hannah looked forward. Hannah chose not to focus on the diffulties of what was, but insted focused on what was to be. Hannah did not focus on the “why”.

Moving through suffering requires that we do not get stuck on the “why”. Why is there pain and suffering…………because we live in a fallen world. Jesus tells us that indeed we will have trouble, but he does not stop there. He tells us that our peace for all of the suffering and pain that this world may throw our way is found in HIM.

My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ if you are struggling, look to your Jesus. DO NOT GET STUCK IN “WHY”. Take your hurt to HIM in prayer. Find someone that you can trust, seek professional counseling, and be patient and gentle with yourself. “TAKE HEART!!!!! I have overcome the world. ” Oh what comfort and joy those words bring to a suffering heart. Our Jesus has conquered our earthly strife and promises us the joys of ETERNAL LIFE through HIM.

Blessings,

Terri

Adapted from: Becoming Resilient How to Move Through Suffering and Come Back Stronger by Donna Gibbs

Follow Blog via Email

WEBSITE

Past Posts

Past Posts

Instagram

DISCLAIMER

The material and content in this website are for general information only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Users of this website should not rely on the information provided for their own health needs, All specific questions should be presented to your own healthcare provider.

USE AGREEMENT

In consideration for your use of and access to this website, you agree that in no event will Eternal Hope Christian Counseling and Coaching LLC be liable to you in any manner whatsoever for any decision made or action or non-action taken by you in reliance upon the information provided through this website

FOR IMMEDIATE SUPPORT

If you need support right now, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or you can reach the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741-741.